Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
The issue of waste accumulation in many Cameroonian cities, mostly especially in Yaounde the capital city has become a serious concern, with images and videos circulating online showcasing streets filled with garbage even taking up half the road causing traffic. Cars and bikes literally have to ride on the dirts to arrive their destination. Despite the presence of firms like Hysacam, tasked with cleaning and disposing waste, they have seemingly abandoned their responsibilities. The problem has also become the cause of public unrest, as citizens have called on the authorities to intervene urgently since the pillage of garbage not only render the environment unattractive but also pollutes the air, additionally creating serious health risks that increase the chances of outbreak of diseases.
As frustration grows among residents, the government finally stepped in, through the Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute who issued a two-week ultimatum to municipalities and their sanitation partners, demanding a comprehensive cleanup plan for the capital city, which is currently drowning in waste.
Addressing the issue of the dirtiness, during a political debate on Vision 4’s Club d’Élites this Sunday, Célestin Bedzegui, stated;
“The unsanitary conditions in our cities reflect the poor governance of our country. This is primarily a logistical problem, the inability of municipalities to remove waste efficiently. As a mayor myself, I can confirm that our biggest challenge is waste collection capacity. In Monatélé, for instance, we have only one garbage truck, and when it breaks down, waste accumulates for days.”
His statement outlines structural and organizational failures that caused the crisis. While there are waste disposal companies, there is inadequate equipment maintenance, poor resources, and inefficient municipal authorities that have worsened the situation.
With the Prime Minister’s ultimatum in place, authorities now face pressure to implement tangible solutions to restore cleanliness in Yaoundé. The question remains: will this initiative lead to lasting improvements, or will it be a temporary measure with little impact?
